Murals full of color and Jayhawk pride sit on display at Strong Hall, students dress from head-to-toe in crimson and blue, and the lust for victory is tangible in the air all over Lawrence.

It’s Homecoming Week at Kansas University, and you don’t have to be a student to enjoy it.

A week of Homecoming 2009 activities begins today and culminate next Saturday, when the Jayhawks face the Iowa State Cyclones at Memorial Stadium. The theme this year is “Peace. Love. Jayhawks.” with an emphasis on eco-friendliness for students competing in homecoming events.

Competitive events include mural painting and sidewalk chalking contests centered on the theme, a singing competition called Jayhawk Jingles, and the chance for students to dress up in their craziest KU gear on Crimson and Blue Day.

But KU will host events each day that are open to the public to encourage the campus and Lawrence community to show their commitment and compassion to the school and city.

Stuff the Bus is noon to 5 p.m. today at the Dillons on 23rd Street and Hy-Vee on Clinton Parkway. Stuff the Bus is a joint effort between KU and the United Way of Douglas County.

The goal is for students and community members to donate enough canned goods to fill an entire KU bus at each location.

“According to local food banks, a few of the most ‘in-demand’ items include those with a higher nutritional value, such as canned tuna or chicken, canned vegetables and fruit, whole-grain pasta and oatmeal,” said Sheila Lowrie, Dillons communications coordinator.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, the Jayhawk Jog 5k will keep fans on their feet while raising money for the United Way. The jog “is absolutely open to everybody,” said Jayhawk Jog chairwoman Caitlin Wise, Wichita junior, of the 2009 homecoming steering committee.

The entry fee, $15 for university students and younger and $20 for the general public, benefits the United Way and buys participants a spot in the race and a commemorative T-shirt. The jog will begin at the Kansas Union, follow Jayhawk Boulevard to the Chi Omega fountain, wind through the adjacent neighborhood to Engel Road, and end on Daisy Hill, Wise said.

From canned goods to free barbecue to all-you-can-eat pancakes, there will be no shortage of food to keep victory-hungry Jayhawks and fans satisfied until game day.

The KU Alumni Association will host a barbecue dinner from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Adams Alumni Center, 1266 Oread Ave. Co-director Ashley Moser, Topeka senior, of the 2009 homecoming steering committee, said the event will feature free barbecue for the first 200 to 300 people and entertainment from the Jayhawk Jingles singing contest.

Homecoming adviser Nikki Epley from the Alumni Association said the first 150 people will have the opportunity to tie-dye white T-shirts with black “Peace. Love. Jayhawks.” logos free of charge.

The homecoming parade will roll down Jayhawk Boulevard at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Participation is limited to student groups, but viewing is open to everyone. Parade co-chair Joey Stromberg, Sterling freshman, said the parade will include the KU marching band, Gateway High Steppers drill team, and floats and banners created by student organizations. The parade will begin at the Kansas Union and follow Jayhawk Boulevard through campus, past Wescoe Hall, and end at the Chi Omega Fountain.